Honestly, if you just glance at the latest israel national football team standings, you might think the Skyblue and Whites are having a rough time. A quick look at the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League table shows them at the bottom of Group A2. Relegated. Tough, right? But that's exactly where the "stats don't tell the whole story" cliché actually makes sense.
Think about who they were playing. France. Italy. Belgium. This wasn't some friendly local tournament; it was the deep end of the European pool. Israel held their own against the heavyweights, even pulling off a massive 1-0 win against Belgium in November 2024. That single result kept them level on points with the Belgians (both finished with 4 points), though they lost out on the tiebreaker.
The context is everything.
The Brutal Reality of the Nations League Standings
The 2024-25 UEFA Nations League was always going to be an uphill battle for Ran Ben Shimon's squad. Being in League A meant they were rubbing shoulders with the elite.
In Group A2, the final standings looked like this: France and Italy dominated the top with 13 points each. Belgium took third with 4 points, and Israel finished fourth, also with 4 points. Because Belgium had a better head-to-head goal difference—basically by a single goal—Israel took the hit and got relegated back to League B for the 2026-27 cycle.
It's a bummer, sure. But look at the progress. They drew 0-0 with France at the Stade de France. They pushed Italy to the brink in a wild 4-5 loss during World Cup qualifying later on. This isn't a team that's getting rolled over anymore. They are pesky. They are organized.
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: A Mountain to Climb
Switching gears to the israel national football team standings in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, things get even more interesting. Israel was drawn into Group I, another nightmare scenario featuring Italy and Norway.
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As of late 2025, the standings in Group I are a bit of a mixed bag. Norway, led by a certain Erling Haaland who seems to score three goals every time he breathes, is sitting pretty at the top with 24 points from 8 games. Perfect record. Italy follows with 18 points.
Israel currently sits in third place.
- Norway: 24 points (8 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses)
- Italy: 18 points (6 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses)
- Israel: 12 points (4 wins, 0 draws, 4 losses)
- Estonia: 4 points
- Moldova: 1 point
The math is simple but brutal. With only two teams typically advancing or heading to play-offs from these groups, catching Italy is the goal. Israel's 4-1 win over Moldova in November 2025 was a great way to close out the year, but the 5-0 drubbing by Norway in October still stings. Haaland had a hat-trick in that one. Sometimes, you just can't stop a freight train.
Recent Form and Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 16, 2025 | Moldova | 4-1 (W) | World Cup Qualifier |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Italy | 0-3 (L) | World Cup Qualifier |
| Oct 11, 2025 | Norway | 0-5 (L) | World Cup Qualifier |
| Sep 8, 2025 | Italy | 4-5 (L) | World Cup Qualifier |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Moldova | 4-0 (W) | World Cup Qualifier |
That 4-5 loss to Italy in September 2025? Absolute madness. It was played in Debrecen, Hungary, and featured two goals from Dor Peretz. Israel actually led at points. It’s those kinds of games that show the potential of this roster, even if the israel national football team standings don't reflect a trip to the World Cup just yet.
The Players Making a Difference
You can't talk about the current standing without talking about Oscar Gloukh. The kid is a magician. At just 21, he’s already the creative heartbeat of the team. He scored in the 4-0 win against Moldova and seems to be involved in every dangerous attacking move.
Then there's Manor Solomon. When he’s healthy, he’s a nightmare for fullbacks. He popped up with a goal against Moldova in September 2025 and remains the primary outlet on the wing.
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Defensively, it’s been tougher. Conceding 13 goals in 6 Nations League games is a lot. Eli Dasa, the captain, has his work cut out for him. The team is transitioning. Ran Ben Shimon is trying to implement a more aggressive style, but finding the balance between attacking flair and defensive stability is a work in progress.
The FIFA Ranking Factor
As of late December 2025, Israel is ranked 77th in the world.
It’s a bit of a drop from their historical high of 15th back in 2008, but rankings are fickle. They’ve hovered around the 70-80 mark for a few years now. To move up, they basically need to start beating the teams ranked above them in competitive matches—which is exactly what they’ve been trying to do in League A.
What’s Next for the Skyblue and Whites?
The road to the 2026 World Cup is mostly decided now, with the play-offs looming in March 2026 for the teams that made the cut. Israel's focus is shifting toward the next UEFA Nations League cycle in September 2026.
They’ll be back in League B. Honestly? That might be a blessing.
League A was a great learning experience, but League B offers a real chance to win games, build confidence, and maybe earn another promotion. The goal is consistency. You can't just be "the team that almost beat Italy." You have to be the team that consistently beats Estonia and Moldova, and then nicks points off the giants.
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If you're following the israel national football team standings into 2026, keep an eye on the young talent. The U-20 and U-21 successes of recent years are finally starting to bleed into the senior squad. Players like Dor Turgeman and Anan Khalaily are the future.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you want to understand where this team is headed, stop looking at the wins and losses for a second. Look at the expected goals (xG) and the possession stats in their games against top-20 nations.
- Track the youth integration: Watch how many minutes Gloukh and Turgeman get. Their development is the single biggest factor in Israel's future standings.
- Monitor the venue situation: Playing "home" games in neutral territories like Hungary has been a massive challenge. Any return to playing in Israel will likely see a jump in points earned at home.
- Focus on the Nations League B draw: The opponents Israel faces in late 2026 will determine if they can bounce back to the top tier quickly.
The talent is there. The results are... getting there. It's a frustrating time to be a fan, but the foundation is probably the strongest it's been in twenty years.
Check the official UEFA and FIFA portals regularly for live updates on the 2026-2027 Nations League groups, which will be drawn following the conclusion of the World Cup. For those looking to see the team in person, tickets for neutral-site "home" matches are usually available through the IFA (Israel Football Association) website about a month before kickoff.
Watch the friendly match schedule for early 2026. These games will be the first real test of how Ben Shimon intends to fix the defensive leaks before the next competitive cycle begins.